Uncovering North America's Hidden Herbal Treasures: A Journey Through the Uncharted Territory of Herbal Adventures Series

Hello fellow explorers of the herbal world! Last year, I set out on a journey of discovery into the abundant plant life on this continent, beginning in Utah, where I spent a week at the School of Natural Healing with my classmates. What struck me as truly remarkable and enlightening was that wherever we wandered - be it on a hiking trail, along a roadside, in someone's garden, or a public park - we stumbled upon herbs with both nutritional and medicinal benefits. Ginkgo, pine trees, elderberry bushes, comfrey, and marshmallow were just a few of the plants we encountered during our leisurely stroll around town. I now view the so-called weeds in my garden not as nuisances to be removed, but perhaps as valuable assets worth preserving. As I continue this expedition to uncover the herbal treasures that I come across during my travels across America, I aim to highlight the diverse array of herbs and their various uses found throughout this magnificent continent.

The Herbal Adventures Begin

The first plant in my expedition is the milkweed, I had never encountered one on the east coast and was very intrigued by its looks. There are about 115 species of this plant, but this discussion is only about the common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca L. Legend has it that the genus Asclepias is in honor of the Greek god Asklepios, the god of medicine. Common milkweed has traditionally been used to get rid of warts and treating lung disease This plant can grow up to 5 feet, and is found on the side of roads, in gardens, thinned out lawns, to name a few. It is a hotel for many insects, about 450 species are attracted to these nectar-filled flower. It is a very beneficial plant, attracting many pollinators, even hummingbirds have been known to try to get to its sweet nectar. This is the only plant the monarch caterpillars eat. What makes this plant so special to the monarch is the cardiac glycoside compounds which cause this plant to be toxic to most animals; however the monarch butterfly, which has feasted on these plants as a caterpillar, has these toxins stored in their bodies, making them inedible to birds! Because the viceroy butterfly looks so much like the monarch, birds will not eat them, afraid they are toxic also. Very clever disguise!

Now let's dive into its medicinal values. The root seems to be the most used medicine of the plant, although stems and leaves are mentioned. It is considered anodyne (capable of soothing or eliminating pain), diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, expectorant and a purgative. Also listed are its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. It has been used to treat asthma, venereal disease, and kidney stones. The milky sap has been used to treat warts. The stems had been cooked and applied as a poultice on rheumatic joints. An application being studied now involves the cardiac glucosides found in milkweed and the possibility of treating cardiovascular problems such as hypertension and arrhythmias.

Artemisia tridentata is next on my list of plants found in the desert areas of Utah. Artemisia tridentata, commonly known as Sagebrush, is not to be confused with sage (Salvia officinalis). Native American tribes found this proliferent desert plant extremely useful in the treatment of infections, internal bleeding, and the treatment of headaches and colds due to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It was also used often religiously being burned, with the smoke used to spiritually cleans and purify a person, space or object. The Cahuilla people used a decoction of the leaves to treat menstrual cramps, menopause symptoms, and aiding in childbirth. It also contains antimicrobial and anti-parasitic properties, which makes it useful in treating food and waterborne illnesses, amebic infections, and as a broad spectrum vermifuge in the treatment of pinworms and round worms. The leaves are used mostly, although the seeds can be ground up and used as well. A poultice using the leaves can be applied to sore eyes, pneumonia, bad colds, and bronchitis. This plant has many applications, not even discovered. It is antirheumatic, antiseptic, disgestive, a disinfectant, febrifuge, opthalmic, poultice and sedative. If this plant is in your neighborhood, it would be well worth the time to harvest and save.

Sage, Salvia officinalis, is an entirely different plant. While also used medicinally, it is also considered a spice, and is native to the Mediterranean.

More of this adventure to come....